Heat exchanger



Jan. 25, 1927. 1,615,658 l l R. L. s-l-HPNIMJ` HEAT EXCHANGER Filed May 22; 192e A Patented Jan.. 25, 1927.

ROBERT L. SHIPMAN, OF BRIDGEPOBT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OE ONE-HALF T0 p 1,615,658 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL D. SPRAGUE, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

naar EXCHANGER.

Application filed May 22,

This invention relates to a heat exchanger or a heat exchange device for the transfer of heat from one luid medium to another through intervening walls, and has f or an object to provide a device which will require a -minimum amount of space vfor a given amount of heat transfer surface.-

It is also'an ob'ect of the inventionto provide a device o" this character in which practically all of the material entering into the.construction is used for heat transfer purposes, thus economizingin the amount of material required for a given heat transfer capacity.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device in which the surfaces liable to be corroded by electrolytic action maybe protected, and whereall the joints are easily accessible for inspection or repair.

It is another object of the invention to so construct a device of this character that the condensing medium is in thin layers over the active surfaces to reduce to a minimum the amount of the condensing'liquid required, and to also economize in the amount of power required for circulating the condensing medium.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a `device of this'character in which all spaces containing a certain niedium, such as poisonous gases or vapors, are surrounded by the condensing medium, such as water, so that should there be any lealiage of the poisonous gases or vapors it would be into the water, and therefore, carried away with it Without danger to life or property.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forining a part of this specification, and. indicating the construction which is considered at present as involving the preferred form of my invention, similar reference characters being employed throughout the various figures to indicate corresponding elements. In this drawing,

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device, and

Fig.`2 is a transverse section substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The device illustrated comprises a plurality of spaced concentric tubes, preferably cylindrical in cross section, and indicated by the numeral 5, and these tubes, of

1926. Serial No. 110,925.

course, increase progressively in diameter from the inner tube 6 to the outer tube 7, the outer tube is, however, extended beyond the ends ofthe remaining tubesy and is in and 10 at the opposite ends of the remaining n or inner tubes. These heads may be secured to the outer tube or casing by any suitable means, such as flanged rings 11, either threaded to the shell, as indicated at 12, or welded, as indicated at 13, or both, the heads being bolted to these flanges by bolts 14 so that they may be removed for inspection, cleaning or repair of the surfaces and elements' enclosed by this outer tube. The heads have connected thereto inlet and outlet fluid connections 15 and 16 for entrance and exit 'of the cooling fluid to and from the chambersi) and 10 respec tively. These connections are usually pipes and may be connected to the heads by an suitable means such as screw threads 17 or welds 18 or both.

The alternate adjacent tubes 5 are Welded together at their opposite ends, as indicated at19, to secure these tubes together in proper spaced relation and also to cut off communication oi the alternate spaces' 20 between these tubes with the chambers 9 and 10, but the remaining alternate spaces 21 between the tubes are in open communication with these chambers at the opposite ends ot the tubes. Therefore, fluid passing into the' chamber 9 will pass longitudinally of the tubes through the spaces 2l to the opposite chamber 10 and pass out through the outlet 16.

Connections are alsoprovided for passing another fluid through the spaces 20 on the opposite sides of the tubes from the spaces 2l. In the present construction this coinprises two' lateral connections 22 and 23 in communication with the spaces 20 through openings 24 in the sides of the tubes. To secure a more uniform distribution of this fiuid to the spaces 20 the openings 24 through the sides of the tube progressively decrease in diameter from-the outer to the inner tube, and they are located in alignment. as shown. The alternate adjacent tubes are welded togcther about these openings as indicated at 25 to secure the tubes together which are not secured by the welds 19 and also to cut 2l through whichV the fluid yfrom the chamber 9 flows. This arrangement ofthe openings 24 also facilitates the welding operation and places the`weld where it may be easily insoected or repaired. The connecting tubes 22 and 23 are preferably welded tothe outer tube or casing 7, as indicated at 26. It will then be apparent that fluid flowing in, for example, at the connection 22 will be`v distributed into the spaces 2() and will pass about the tubes in these spaces and out through the connection 23. As the Huid in the spaces'2l and Ichambers 9-and l0 may be of low pressure and' the fluid in the spaces may be of relatively high pressure this construction permits of easy bracthe next adjacent tube.

ing or supporting of the walls of the tube to strengthen them without increasing the thickness of these walls. This is done by inserting in thespaces 20 strips of metal 27 which rest against the opposed walls of the adjacent tubes and will transmit pressure from the wall of one tube to that of Thus, for instance, a portion of the 'force of the high pressure in the space indicated at 28, Fig. 2, will be transferred by strip 29 to the next adjacent tube and counterbalanced by the pressure in the space 30 pushing in thel opposite direction on the tube 3'1, and this is the action throughout the device.

- These devices may be made in practically any length desired to give the required surfaces, or they may be made up of vcertain lengths and connected together either in series or parallel to secure the same result. ,It will be apparent that thercare numerous advantages in this construction over the constructions of the ordinary heat exchangers. For instance` it is very economical in the space required as there are practically no Waste spaces in its makeup, and it requires a minimum of space in proportion to the amount of heat transfer surface secured. This is a particular advantage in congested districts where space is valuable.' This feature also is economical of material as prac- 4tically all the material used injits construction is active material functioning for transfer of heat, and the walls may be placed closely together. The construction is also relatively inexpensive as all the joints can be welded, and thereforafittings or screw joints are not required, andthe units can be built up into practically any desired size thus requiring a minimum o header construction. y A

The device is also, furthermore, of long life as it is compact with the material in close assembly and it can thus be easily protected against deterioration by electrolytie action, such for instance, as the use of Zinc where salt water or brine is used. It will be noted that all joints are easily accessible for inspection or repair, and therefore, the cost of upkeep is reduced.

A further advantage of this device is 'economy in the use of condensingmediuml It will be noted from the drawing that water, for instance, used as a condensing vmedium passes through the spaces 2l and it is, therefore, disposed in thin layersover the active surfaces. The same is true of the material, such as the gases or lvapors, to be condensed or cooled in the spaces 20, and I thus secure a very rapid and' e'fiicient transfer of heat from one medium to the other. This transfer is increased because the walls of the tubes may be made relatively thin as the pressures may be balanced by the strips 27, as indicated above. This economy in the use of condensing medium, furthermore, reduces the power required for pumping or circulatingthis medium since the amount thereof for a given heat transfer is lower. A particular advantage of this construction is its safety in. operation. It will be noted from an inspection of the drawing .that the spaces 20 through which the vapor or gases to be condensed or cooled flow are entirely surrounded by the condensing or cooling medium, in the above example water. Thus, for instance, if the device is used for v'condensing ammonia or other oisonous vapor, or an inflammable vapor, all leakage thereof will be directly int-o the'condensing or cooling medium, such for instance, as water, and will thus be absorbed bythe water and carried off with it, thereby malcing it possible to use this'device in practically any location without danger to life or property. Furthermore, the surfaces of the spaces 21 are easily accessible for cleaning by simply removing the heads 8. To secure only a thin stream; of condensing medium through the central tube 5 a central core .such as a rod32 may be provided suitably spaced from the Walls of this tube. This will prevent the flow of a large amount of inactive medium through this tube which would otherwise occur.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention', what I claim is:

l1. In a heat exchange device, an outer tubular shell, a plurality of spaced concentric tubes within the shell and spaced therefrom and providing chambers at the oppo- 'site ends of said tubes, the alternate spaces tube and welded connections between alternate adjacent Itubes about said openings cuttingof communication of said openings with the first mentioned spaces,`and fluid inlet and outlet connections to said chambers. v

` 2. In a heat exchange device, a plurality ot'. spaced concentric tubes, said tubes being provided with a series of lateral openings in alignment and progressively decreasing in diameter toward the center tube, there being free communication from these openings to .the alternate spaces' between the tubes and the alternate adjacent tubes being Welded together about the openings at lalternate spaces between the tubes, said tubes being provided with aligned lateral openings, and the alternate adjacent tubes being Welded together about said openings to prevent communication of the remaining alternate spaces between the tubes with said lopenings.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

ROBERT L. SHIPMAN. 

